NEMORHCEDUS GORAL. 285^. 



as high as Tenasserim. There is also a species in China, Nemorhcedus 

 Swinhoii, Gray, figd. P. Z. S. 1862, pi. 35. 



Near this group should be placed that very remarkable animal the 

 Takin, Budorcas taxicolor, Hodgson, from the Mishmi hills at the head of 

 the valley of Assam. It has something of the aspect of the Gnu of Africa. 



The next animal differs somewhat in appearance, and also in its haunts, 

 and has been placed in a separate genus, Kemas, by Ogilby and others ; 

 but the points of distinction are very slight. The previous group is 

 stated to possess small rounded eye-pits, whilst this has none; but I have 

 not been able recently to examine a fresh head of Serow to ascertain if 

 they are actually present in that animal. 



231. Nemorhcedus Goral. 



Antilope apud HARDWICKE, Linn. Tr. XIV. 518, with figure. BLYTH, 

 Cat. 540. Figd. F. CUVIER, Mamrn. III. 107. A. Duvaucelei, H. SMITH. 

 Goral, throughout the hills. Pijur, in Kashmir. Sdh or Sarr, of the 

 Sutlej valley. Suh-ging, Lepch. Rd-giyu, Bhot. 



THE GOORAL, OR HIMALAYAN CHAMOIS. 



Descr. Colour dull rusty-brown, paler beneath; a dark brown line from 

 the vertex to the tail ; chest and front of fore-legs deep brown ; ears 

 externally rusty -brown ; a large patch of pure white on the throat. The 

 female is paler than the male, and the young are said to be redder in tint. 



Length of one, head and body about 50 inches ; tail 4 ; height at 

 shoulder about 28 to 30 inches ; horn 8. 



The horns are situated on the crest of the frontals, and vary from 6 to 

 9 inches in length, incline backwards and slightly inwards, and have 20 

 to 25 annuli. The fur is somewhat rough, of two kinds of hair, and 

 there is a short semi-erect mane in the male. 



The Gooral is very caprine in appearance, the back is somewhat arched 

 #nd the limbs are stout and moderately long, and it is well adapted both 

 for climbing and jumping. It inhabits the whole range of Himalayas 

 from Bhotan and Sikim to Kashmir, at a range varying from a little 

 above 3,000 to nearly 8,000 feet, though perhaps most common about 

 5,000 to 6,000 feet. It usually associates in small parties of from four to 

 eight or so, and frequents rugged grassy hills, or rocky ground in the midst 

 of forests. If one Gooral is seen, you may be pretty certain that others 

 are not far off, and they rarely or never forsake their own grounds. If 



